Saturday, February 11, 2012

The Snow Child

Just finished this book and I'm left with a feeling I can't quite put into words...absolutely lovely is a good place to start. The story is such a pleasant change from the usual in that it gives the reader a peaceful, beautiful, moving adventure to follow. Eowyn Ivey captures the amazing facets of nature in Alaska and how they feed and engage the human soul. She also balances the natural elements with her varied and in-depth characters. Here are some of my favorite quotes from The Snow Child:

"What a tragic tale! Why these stories for
children always have to turn out so dreadfully is beyond me. I think if
I ever tell it to my grandchildren, I will change the ending and have
everyone live happily ever after. We are allowed to do that, are we not
Mabel? To invent our own endings and choose joy over sorrow?"

"During the next several days the skies
cleared, a deep cold settled on the valley, and the child's tracks
became edged in frost. They trailed sparkling and delicate through
Mabel's thoughts, and left her feeling as if she had forgotten
something."

"The snowflake was no bigger than the smallest
skirt button. It was six pointed, with fernlike tips and a hexagonal
heart, and it sat in the child's palm like a tiny feather when it should
have melted."

"Then, as the conversation began to turn around her, she wondered if she had told the truth. Was that why they had come north -- to build a life? Or did fear drive her? Fear of the gray, not just in the strands of her hair and her wilting cheeks, but the gray that ran deeper, to the bone, so that she thought she might turn into a fine dust and simply sift away in the wind."

What a clever story! I am very impressed with authors who can write unique story lines. As more alphabet letters fall from the statue, watch what happens to the datelines on the correspondence letters, especially in the last quarter of th...

This book was written in a very formal and proper fashion as to underscore the extremely dignified manner and approach of Mr. Stevens, a true English butler. I loved the part when, among other epiphanies as years have gone by, he discovers...

I was caught between 4 and 5 stars on this one...went with five because of the author's ability to use words (granted, well-chosen ones) to absolutely nail modern human emotions. I now want to read more of her writing!

I give this author great credit for being creative and original...have not read a book like this one before. Who knew sheeps' thoughts and personalities could be so clever, humorous, and endearing! BAAAAAA-RAVO!

I really, really, really enjoyed this book! One character in particular was endearing and humorous without trying, actually making me laugh out loud as I imagined the scenarios. I actually think the story would make a good movie.

I found Niagara Falls to be a wonderfully interesting setting for this story and its characters. Of course, having never been there, I want to go to both the Canadian and American sides of the river and falls, and check out the spots menti...

Great convoluted story, darkly humorous and ironic...I was pleasantly surprised. Senior citizen hell bent on revenge (justifiably so), sets out to destroy a doctor and his family with surprises throughout.

If I could give this book six stars...I would do so without hesitation! What an amazing novel...contains grabbing elements such as mystery, danger, seduction, murder, lost love, courage...not to mention the "Cemetery of Forgotten Book...

This is now one of my favorites. Verissimo does such an amazing job with his characters' traits, I had a clear picture in my imagination of their temperament and body language tendencies to the extent that I felt like I knew Vogelstei...

This book is not only a wonderful piece of well-researched historical fiction, it is very well-written! I quickly connected with the heroine and could not put the story down until it ended. Greatly looking forward to the sequel!

I'm still laughing! To really appreciate the characters (if your Irish brogue is rusty), before reading it, try to watch an Irish film such as "Waking Ned Divine" or "The Secret of Roan Inish." This book made me laugh ...

Loved it! Definitely recommend it! Poignant, endearing, humorous,and revealing journey of quirky and bright nine year old Oskar Schell as he searches the five boroughs of New York to find the lock that fits a key belonging to his father, ...

I LOVED THIS BOOK! The characters were amazing to follow...I feel like I went through their experiences with them and just did not want the story to end. I also recommend reading the author's thoughts at the very end...so interesting to h...

Juxtabook

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